Longbow

"This guy..."

At home, while his mother, Madam Wang, was busy cooking, Lin Yin quietly pulled back the bamboo curtain by the window.

Noticing that the figure outside had finally left, he felt not a shred of relief in his heart.

Li Sihhu was known as the Smiling Tiger; he was temperamental, ruthless, and vicious. Many people had seen their families ruined because of him. How could Lin Yin not be worried now that he had been targeted by such a man?

Especially given the Black Scorpion Gang behind him—they were the most terrifying existence in Langshi Town.

Just as life had begun to show a glimmer of hope, misfortune followed one after another. The sense of urgency in Lin Yin's heart grew even stronger.

"I must reach Minor Accomplishment in the Vajra Stake Technique as soon as possible!"

He made up his mind to spend more time practicing recently. The entry-level Vajra Stake Technique had already significantly increased his strength and mended his physical deficiencies. If he reached Minor Accomplishment... Lin Yin felt a faint sense of anticipation.

"If my strength continues to grow... perhaps..."

A cold glint flashed in Lin Yin's eyes. One must always be on guard against others, but he couldn't spend his days and nights in constant defense, especially against a vicious man like Li Sihhu, who was narrow-minded and held grudges for the smallest slights.

Being targeted by such a person made it impossible for him to eat or sleep in peace. If possible, he wouldn't mind...

The rich aroma of food, mixed with the savory scent of pork, wafted into his nose, pulling Lin Yin's thoughts back to reality.

After a hearty meal, he gave his old mother a few simple instructions and then pushed open the back door, eager to begin practicing his stake technique.

The night was deep.

Lin Yin stood with his feet parallel, about two to three foot-lengths apart, toes turned inward. He slowly squatted down until his thighs were parallel to the ground.

His knees did not extend past his toes, forming the "Horse Stance." He held this position for about a quarter of an hour.

His gaze sharpened. He shifted his center of gravity between his legs, dropped his shoulders, lowered his elbows, and kept his buttocks as if sitting but not quite, maintaining an upright posture without leaning forward or backward.

He repeated this, connecting it with the subsequent movements, focusing his strength either into his heels or his arms. After a few sets of movements:

[Heaven rewards diligence, success is inevitable]
[Vajra Stake Technique: Entry (10/100)]

A subtle, nearly imperceptible warm current flashed through his limbs and torso, and the slight chill clinging to his body was instantly forced out.

A bright light flickered in Lin Yin's eyes.

Ever since he had mended his physical deficiencies, the proficiency of his stake technique had been progressing daily. At this rate, he would likely reach Minor Accomplishment in about a month.

With his mind slightly settled, Lin Yin dared not stop for even a moment. If he could, he naturally wanted to be a step faster.

The leaves by the thatched cottage rustled under the howling night wind, and the muffled shouts sounded like the groans of muscles colliding during a strike.

Three days later, early in the morning.

Lin Yin sat up on his bed, feeling refreshed. He pushed aside the straw curtain, his expression momentarily dazed; the narrow living room was empty, his Old Mother nowhere to be seen.

On the table sat a bowl of steaming porridge, and beside it, a cloth pouch containing vegetable buns that emitted a faint, savory aroma.

Lin Yin washed up briefly, ate two of the buns, and left the other two. After cleaning the bowl and chopsticks, he was about to head out when he ran into Madam Wang, who was returning in a hurry, her head wrapped in a cloth scarf and her back hunched.

"Yin'er..."

Seeing the two buns on the table, a trace of anxiety appeared on Madam Wang's face. "Mother has already eaten. You must hurry and eat these while they're still hot."

As she spoke, she insisted on picking up the buns from the table and thrusting them back into Lin Yin's arms.

"Mother..."

Lin Yin frowned slightly.

Over these past few days, because of his Martial Arts Practice, he had become increasingly aware of the family's financial straits. His Old Mother was busier than ever, sometimes working until late at night. Her once sturdy frame had become increasingly hunched, and she had grown thinner and thinner.

He saw it all, and it weighed heavily on his heart.

"Mother really has eaten. I just had a big, greasy bun on the main street. The juices—it was so fragrant!"

Madam Wang beamed with a radiant smile, though her eyes were unfocused, as if she were still savoring the memory of that greasy flavor. As she spoke, she continued to insist on stuffing the two buns into Lin Yin's arms.

"Martial Arts Practice is no easy task. How will you have the strength if you don't eat your fill?"

His Old Mother muttered, then seemed to recall something and began fumbling in her pockets.

"Take this money and go to the Market to buy some meat. We can't have a home without any protein...

It's a little less this time, but once Mother turns in all the fabric from the house in a few days, the two of us will have a proper feast."

Her rough palm brushed against his, leaving behind a handful of warm copper coins—one hundred and sixteen in total. Lin Yin stared blankly at the old woman before him.

Madam Wang seemed not to notice her child's emotional state; she pushed and "shooed" Lin Yin out the door.

"Mother has work to do now, hurry off to the Market and buy it!"

The somewhat dilapidated wooden door closed, concealing that haggard face still fixed with a smile.

Behind the door, a faint sound—the "gurgling" groan of a stomach—made Lin Yin, who had just turned away, freeze in his tracks.

He took two deep breaths and strode off in the direction of the Market.

In front of a meat stall, Lin Yin's brows knitted together as he stared at the wooden sign on the stall in disbelief.

"Old Man Li, this... how has the price of meat gone up again?"

"Sigh, it's the Meat Market. The cost of getting meat has gone up; there's nothing we can do about it."

In front of the stall, an old man wearing hemp clothes gritted his teeth and weighed out half a jin, muttering that his little grandson needed to eat some meat.

Beside the stall, Lin Yin looked at the Copper Coins in his hand, his gaze darkening. He had originally intended to buy half a jin, but after a moment, he only bought two taels and walked away.

These scattered Copper Coins had emptied his Old Mother's savings. Although Martial Arts Practice was the top priority, Lin Yin felt he had to make a change.

At least... at least he couldn't rely solely on his Old Mother.

This time, Lin Yin wasn't just buying food; he was also looking for an opportunity. If he could find some work, that would be best, as it would at least make things easier for his Old Mother.

As he walked, he asked around to see which Shop needed a Shop Assistant who could handle manual labor.

Just as Lin Yin was wandering about, a shout caught his attention.

"Peerless bows for sale! Don't miss out as you pass by!"

"Today, our little shop is opening. Anyone under sixteen who can draw the Full Moon Bowstring will receive it for free."

"Free?"

Before he knew it, Lin Yin was standing in front of this newly opened shop. By now, quite a few people had gathered.

Aside from the old, weak, women, and children watching the spectacle, standing at the very front were several burly men. One of them was arguing with the shopkeeper.

"Are you kidding me? Under sixteen, and you want them to draw a Two-stone bow?"

"This world is full of wonders; there are those born with divine strength. Besides, my bows are finely crafted with top-tier materials. If I'm going to give one away, it naturally requires some strength."

"Heh!"

The burly man crossed his arms, a cold sneer on his face.

Despite his rugged appearance, he had only just turned eighteen. Being a hunter by trade and familiar with bows, he had used all his strength the moment he picked it up and finally managed to pull the Two-stone bow, only for the shopkeeper to say it had to be someone under sixteen.

"I think you just don't want to do business!"

He slammed the Longbow down onto the Man's stall, turned around, and cupped his hands toward the crowd that had gathered.

"To the capable go the spoils! If anyone under sixteen can draw this bow, I'll pay out of my own pocket and gift them ten arrows!"

The words caused an uproar.

Ten more arrows!

In the crowd, Lin Yin's eyes gleamed.